Chamber To Induct Three Into The Business Hall of Fame

The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting and Business Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, January 17, at 11:30 a.m. at the Oakley Lindsay Center as three outstanding business leaders will be honored. The 2018 inductees include the late Richard “Dick” Ehrhart of Kohl Wholesale and the late Dick and Mae Shierling of McDonald’s Restaurants.

Richard Ehrhart was only 13 when he began working at the family business. He was the fourth generation of Erharts to work for the business. He eventually changed the focus to food-service distribution. Instead of just selling to grocery stores, they were selling to schools, hospitals, and restaurants. Today, Kohl Wholesale employs more than 420 people and is owned by Ehrhart’s three sons, Matt, Mark, and Rick. The year 2018 marks the 145^th anniversary of the company. Richard Ehrhart died on Dec. 27, 2013, at the age of 90.

Dick and Mae Shierling purchased the McDonald’s franchise in Quincy on July 1, 1964 at 32^nd and Broadway. Their newly-acquired fast food franchise grew and they subsequently opened restaurants in Keokuk and Hannibal and a second store in Quincy in 1985. They had three children: Greg, Cindy, and Cheryl. All three have worked in the family business. Greg currently owns and operates the McDonald’s restaurant at 13^th and Broadway. The couple supported numerous sports teams and tournaments and provided many scholarships to summer camps. Dick died on July 20, 2008, at the age of 76. Mae died on September 27, 2014, at the age of 81.                                                                                                                                                                                      The Business Hall of Fame was started in 2006 to celebrate the rich history and accomplishments of the Quincy area business community. The event is open to the public, and is made possible by sponsors Adams Fiber, Blessing Health System, County Market, Dale Koontz Builder, Enbridge, Gardner Denver, KHQA, Kunes Country Auto Group, Peoples Prosperity Bank, Rokusek Design, Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu, & Mitchell LLP; and Titan International.                                                                                                                                                                                                            The cost to attend is $25 per person and includes lunch. Reservations are required by January 12 and can be made by going to www.quincychamber.org.